Water from the fresh water tank smells foul....

yzfmik

I used my fresh water hose at the stern of my 188OB yesterday and the water had a foul oder.  I always refill the tank after I get home, but hadn't used the boat in about 6 weeks.  The boat is stored in my garage, so it doesn't get extreme heat/cold exposure.  Has anyone else has this issue?

nquirk

While the fresh water tank is relatively dark in its location, water sitting for 6 weeks will go stagnant and promote algae growth/odor, particularly since it would not be air tight. 

Simply empty the tank and clean it (mixture of water and bleach - mixture of 4:1)

Tow it around to allow it to rinse the tank, flush it, then refill with clean water and flush.  It should be sufficient to clean it up.

 

1pointofview

is there a plug to pull to empty the tank out or do you just run the hose until empty?

nquirk

Unfortunately I don't have one on my boat so I couldn't confirm if there is a tank drain.

yzfmik

Thanks, I will empty & clean the tank next time I drag it out of the garage.

nquirk

@yzfmik, please let us know if that resolves this issue and if in fact a drain does exist.  And good luck.

cjjjdeck

I have not found a quick way to drain the fresh water tank other than pumping it out through one of the sink faucets or washdown sprayer (or all three!).

We don't use the fresh water on board to drink (just washing/rinsing things mostly).  I always treat the fresh water going in to the tank with a pure chlorine bleach solution (NOT the detergent type, very important!) and it has always stayed fresh all season.  In the winter I flush the system with non-toxic anti-freeze before storage.  Go with what "nquirk" says about cleaning the tank, then you may consider maintaining the tank the way I suggest.

Here's the chlorine formula I use:

1/4 teaspoon bleach, per gallon

dolfan1967

I had the same issue, foul smelling water in my brand new boat. I poured 12 oz. of bleach in my fresh water tank. The smell disappeared immediately. I also added more fresh water to my boat. Then, while underway, I borrowed a hairband from the Mrs. and used it to hold the sprayer handle on, and flushed the water out. When we returned to shore, I again filled the fresh water tank and added 6 oz of bleach.  Hope this helps

Carl

cjjjdeck

By the way, and maybe all the rest of you know this already and I'm the dummy (wouldn't be the first time, ask my wife..... ahh, no.... don't ask my wife), but early this season I found out that the spray heads on my galley and head sinks can stay in the "full open" position by pulling "up" on the spray lever (DON"T ask me how I found this out!).  This is the first boat I've had with a fresh water system in it, so I was unfamiliar with the "dual action" of the spray lever.... neat feature.